Monthly Archives: June 2016

Grace Waves

Almighty God, you who overcome the arrow that flies by day and the terror that stalks by night: guard our going out and our coming in; and keep our hearts from hopelessness.

In the face of brutality, in the midst of violence, in the aftermath of tragedy; in Orlando, Florida and throughout the shattered places of this world;
Be with us and correct us wherever your name is blasphemed as a motive for murder,
and tenets of world faiths are perverted and portrayed as sources of hatred.

Lord, bring us closer to one another, to comfort and reassure; bless the wounded of Orlando,
and the families, friends and loved ones of all who suffer and die; grant that we may overcome evil together, through unity in your love. Amen. (from the World Council of Churches and Pr. Margareta’s homily)

Midsommer BBQ and Solstice Dance: Saturday was lovely. Wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves eating, relaxing, dancing, and mostly just being together.

Thanks to Chuck and Pam, Elana and Bill and Judith for our feast (how many churches serve oysters!); and to Kaleo and Elise – in times of darkness and disappointment MAHALO for sharing light and community!

The Family Service was both thoughtful and playful. We are blessed. Thanks to all the butterflies, crocodiles and elephants who attended!

The Sales Frenzy has been continued one more week so all the remaining Peace Mosaic T-shirts and Books of Wisdom can be sold on Sunday.

Special Offer – Fine Art Portrait Photography: As part of our Mid-Summer Fund Raising, Fine Art Portrait Photographer Kersti Malvre, has generously offered a to have Professional Portraits created of you and your family for a fraction of the price she normally charges. For a $75 Donation to Peace, you will receive an $850 Gift Certificate for a Portrait Session and 8×12 Masterpiece. She will have a display set-up at Worship this Sunday – a wonderful belated Father’s Day Gift! You will be delighted by this rare opportunity. Speak with Kersti on Sunday or check out: www.kerstimalvre.com.

Advance Calendar: Camp Out at Peace on Saturday night, August 27!

May God give grace and comfort to all who mourn, and divine compassion to us all.

Grace Waves

Friends:

In the great ancient religious and ethical traditions of humankind we find the directive: You shall not kill! Or in positive terms: Have respect for life! Let us reflect anew on the consequences of this ancient directive: All people have a right to life, safety, and the free development of personality insofar as they do not injure the rights of others. No one has the right physically to torture, injure, much less kill, any other human being. And no people, no state, no race, no religion has the right to hate, to discriminate against, to “cleanse,” to exile, much less to liquidate a “foreign” minority which is different in behavior or holds different beliefs. Parliament of World Religions- Declaration Toward A Global Ethic: Irrevocable Directives

Midsommer Feasting and Solstice Dancing– This Saturday from 5:00 pm to 8:30. A wonderful occasion to enjoy our families and each other while we taste and celebrate the beginning of Summer! The MENU: Salsa bar, Kebob, Superiority burgers/vegetarian PLUS Oysters, Fries, Corn, Salads, Watermelon Garlic bread, Beer/Wine.

Please Sign Up (office@peacejourney.org) so Chef Chuck can gracefully prepare his delicious magic. Feels like too much fun? Then invite other friends to join you! We already have 40 people coming on Saturday.

And World Music Dancing with DJ Kaleo will go from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Shimmer and shake your whole being into joy!

Our kids will love the music and delight to see their parents and grandparents dancing about so happily!! Families who have participated before just love the energy!

We celebrate our next Family Service this Sunday for Father’s Day. Anticipate happiness and joy. Bring, cajole, drag dad to church.

Fine Art Portrait Photography: As part of our Mid-Summer Fund Raising, Fine Art Portrait Photographer, Kersti Malvre, has generously offered a special opportunity for you to have Professional Portraits created of you and your family for a fraction of the price she normally charges. For a $75 Donation to Peace, you will receive an $850 Gift Certificate for a Portrait Session and 8×12 Masterpiece. She will have a display set-up at the BBQ and Solstice Dance and at the Father’s Day Church Service. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! www.kerstimalvre.com

Youth Group: 10 kids from our Youth Group joined Charlene at Danville Rehab this last Sunday to sing, pray and converse with the elders there. It was an occasion for mutual joy and appreciation.

Our thanks to Mary Calhoun for her True Love Story!

Sales Frenzy – Everything Must Go! This Sunday our Peace Mosaic T-shirts and remaining Books (Sabbath, Care for our Common Home and one copy of Markings by Dag H.) must go! This Summer Clearance sale may never come again and will provide you with the perfect Father’s Day gifts you have been desperately searching for! Don’t delay – buy Sunday!

Shabbat Yoga at Beth Chaim and Peace: Thanks to Jenifer Zetlan, Jeanne Kaplan and Linda Benatar for last Sunday’s presentation about incorporating Yoga’s prayerful practices into our community life and worship preparation. Future plans will be communicated. We hope to share a Sabbath/Saturday morning at Beth Chaim in July. A delicious meal always follows Yogic Centering at Beth Chaim.

Refugee Assistance: Our first Syrian family coming next week! Turns out the family needs a place to stay for about 7-10 days max. Here are some details….

This is a husband and wife, with a 4 and a 1.5 year old. They arrive on Tuesday, June 21st, and their cousins will pick them up. Their cousins live in a very small apt, and their hope had been to secure the family a one-bedroom apt before arrival — ready with our donated furniture to be able to move in. Turns out, landlord will not rent to them until they actually meet the family. So….they are in need of a home to stay in for about a week or 10 days — just enough time for the family to set them up with apt. Maybe until July 1st?
Do you know of anyone who might offer a private bedroom and preferably private bathroom to them? If so, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.

Kathryn Winogura, JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES

Tai Chi Chuan: Practicing tai chi could be as effective as physical therapy to relieve arthritic knee pain. A new study also found that tai chi offered an additional benefit: it significantly eased depression among seniors experiencing pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness caused by knee arthritis. (Thanks to Philippa – A new Tai Chi Class series will begin in September.)

Thirst by Mary Oliver

Another morning and I wake with thirst for the goodness I do not have.

I walk out into the marvels of creation – and all the way God has given us such beautiful lessons.

O Lord, grant me in your mercy, a little more time.

Love for the earth and love for you are having such a long conversation in my heart.

Who knows what will finally happen or what I will understand; yet I have already received and given a great many things away.

Someday I will be told: it is time to leave and to pack nothing,

except my prayers and this thirst for life, that I am slowly learning.

Grace Waves

Friends:

You do not have to be better – Really!

You are not obligated to change.

There are huge pressures all around for us to “fix” ourselves—to be better people. We are told to be thinner, prettier, richer, sexier or smarter. The Gospel reminds us we are not obligated to change our self image or waste our time fitting into other people’s projections/expectations. We can choose to practice something new. We can approach change with a sense of amusement and ease rather than a sense of drudgery. If it doesn’t work out the way we might have hoped, then we can also let it go.

The Gospel proclaims —You are loved for who you are! Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love!

June Cultural Calendar

Jazz Church West – Season 11 Conclusion with Anton Schwartz and Josh Nelson – was outstanding!

June 18 – Midsommer BBQ and Solstice Dancing with Master Chef Chuck Fisher and DJ Kaleo Ching. Kick off the summer with tasty food, good friends and World Music Dancing!

Peace Keepers: The Connections Committee asks you to review a list of our ministries this Sunday which need participation and support from the members of Peace. You can sign up these next 2 Sundays.

Our next Family Service is on Sunday, June 19 at 10 am.

Forum – Yoga at Peace and Beth Chaim: This Sunday Jennifer Zetlan, Jeanne Kaplan and Linda Benatar invite you to explore a cooperative Shabbat Yoga Program with Peace and Beth Chaim members on Saturday mornings. Yoga enthusiasts, those who are yoga-curious and those who wish to encourage Beth Chaim /Peace friendships and endeavors are invited.

Family Caregiver Education Series – Hope Hospice: This year, nearly 40 percent of adults in the U.S. will find themselves in the role of caring for an elderly or chronically ill loved one. Most of us are unprepared for what has become known as the universal occupation. If you are a family caregiver, we hope to provide you with education, resources and support. June 11, 2016 – Navigating the Healthcare System: Becoming an Advocate for Your Loved One —The complex healthcare system in the U.S. can be daunting, to say the least. Understanding your rights and learning to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals are key to successfully advocating for your loved one. Guidance is provided in handling hospitalizations (including the discharge process) and utilizing strategies for keeping track of health histories, medications, and medical appointments. Contact: info@hopehospice.com.

Caregivers Retreat Day – San Damiano, July 6: This spiritual, half-day retreat will focus on the caregiver’s journey and need for self-love and compassion. $40 which includes lunch; www.sandamiano.org.

Sierra-Pacific Synod Assembly: Presiding Bishop Eaton shared with us some statistics from the ELCA in 2015. We have congregations in 9,300 places, 3.7 million members and received $1.8 billion in mission support. We also opened 62 new congregations! The Sierra Pacific Synod contributed $647,541, 35.8% of our budget. She shared more about what will be happening at the Churchwide Assembly and Grace Gathering in New Orleans this summer.

Emergency Intervention: Our Defibrillator is mounted in the Gathering Hall next to the Kitchen Door.

RIC/Reconciling in Christ: Last week June 2 (1991) officially marked the 25thAnniversary of Peace becoming an open and affirming congregation of LGBTQ people.